Fly anglers generally don’t need to catch a lot of fish to consider a trip satisfying. Permit legend Del Brown said it best when I interviewed him in the Florida Keys. He told me never to let the number of fish you catch determine your enjoyment of the day. That was great advice, and while numbers aren’t so important, fly anglers do want to catch that “special” fish. For some fly anglers, it might be a tarpon over 100 pounds, a permit over 30 pounds or a bonefish over 10 pounds.
In my opinion the “holy grail” is landing a bonefish over 10 pounds. I’ve landed a few tarpon over 100 pounds, and a permit that pushed 40 pounds, but I had never managed to land a bonefish over 10 pounds. That all changed this past November when I fished the Middle Bight of Andros with Capt. Harry Neymour on a trip to Frankie’s Two Boys Inn.
Neymour’s roots run deep in the lore of bonefishing. His father, Charlie, uncle, Frankie, and grandfather, Ivan, have guided fly anglers in the waters near Behring Point for generations. Harry represents the new generation of the renowned family of fishing guides. On our fourth day of a six day trip, Harry and I were joined by Tampa angler and friend Leigh West.
As we rounded the bend from Cargill Creek onto the flats near Behring Point, Harry made the decision to head south and fish a small island in the middle bight, one he hadn’t fished in over a year. The weather was perfect with a 10-mph northeast breeze in a cloudless sky. Harry poled the boat along the edge of Big Lloyd Cay and after spotting and missing a couple of smaller fish, I heard Harry whisper, “Massive bonefish, 60 feet, one o’clock.”
As I swung my rod in that direction two large bonefish materialized about 40 feet away. Taking a deep breath, I raised my rod to the side to avoid spooking them and after one false cast, launched my fly, which landed about 15 feet from the cruising bones. As the fish approached, I waited for Harry to give me the word to start stripping. While I could see the fish, the Bahamian guides know just when to start a strip to make sure it’s close enough for the bonefish to see but not close enough to spook them. As the fish approached, it was hard to resist starting a strip, but I waited for Harry’s instructions. “Strip, strip, stop.”
There’s nothing more exciting than hearing those words and watching as the bonefish spots the fly and rushes over to inspect the perceived prey. “Strip, strip, stop – he’s got it!” came rapid fire as I did a strip strike and watched as the bone raced away, line and water flying from the spool. In short order, the bonefish was well into my backing as it suddenly changed course and headed for the mangrove shoreline. I applied as much pressure as I dared and used the drag and the rod to keep the fish out of the mangroves. Fortunately, the tide was just low enough to prevent the bonefish from running in or around the twisted roots and after several failed attempts it raced away from the structure towards deeper water. Then it was just a matter of applying constant pressure and working the fish to the boat. As I held my rod high, Harry reached down and expertly lifted the bonefish into the boat, proclaiming it to be close to 13 pounds. Finally, I had my first double-digit bonefish!
If you haven’t fished the Bahamas, I highly recommend the experience. While I’ve had the pleasure to fish multiple locations throughout the Bahamian archipelago, I can’t think of any place I would recommend for new and experienced anglers than Frankie’s Two Boys Inn. While you’re there make sure to ask for a day with Capt. Harry Neymour!
